African dagger. Completely stumped

colin henshaw · 3rd April 2014, 08:11 AM

Never seen a knife exactly like this before. However, the very pointed, elongated blade and small circles as decoration, put me in mind of those knives/swords from Algeria or surrounding areas...

blue lander · 3rd April 2014, 02:03 PM

You know, I can see a bevel on the back of the blade but I don't see one on the front. It's hard to tell from the pictures of course, but I wonder if it's some sort of scythe? Like a Hasiya? If that was the case I'd expect the blade to be more curved and less stabby.

blue lander · 11th April 2014, 04:29 PM

It just arrived today. I've attached two more pictures, one of the guard and one of the pommel. The blade and all the metal bits on it are an orangish metal, so I assume brass.

DaveA · 13th April 2014, 05:12 PM

The cross-hatching on the hilt reminds me of this Burmese dha in my collection. I suppose the design, having such utility for a good grip on the weapon, is probably not uncommon. No idea on the blade

Dave A

chregu · 13th April 2014, 06:12 PM

hello together

'm not quite sure such knives've seen in dancers.
I think there were dervish dances.

blue lander · 15th April 2014, 02:38 AM

Thanks for the leads everyone.

What's the etiquette for brass blades? Should I clean this one up or leave the patina on it like I would with a steel blade?

blue lander · 18th June 2014, 03:01 PM

Another one of these knives went up for auction, so I bought it. The seller says it's from the Maghreb, but who knows how he came to that attribution. That would sync up with it being a dervish knife, though.

It more or less looks the same as the one I have, I'll compare the dimensions when it arrives in the mail. I assume the grip's hamster bone like the last one. Judging from how poorly carved it is, it must have been made back when it wasn't a very valuable material.

11th April 2014, 04:29 PM	#3
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	It just arrived today. I've attached two more pictures, one of the guard and one of the pommel. The blade and all the metal bits on it are an orangish metal, so I assume brass. Attached Images

13th April 2014, 05:12 PM	#4
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 415	Cross-hatch design The cross-hatching on the hilt reminds me of this Burmese dha in my collection. I suppose the design, having such utility for a good grip on the weapon, is probably not uncommon. No idea on the blade Dave A Attached Images

18th June 2014, 03:01 PM	#7
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Another one of these knives went up for auction, so I bought it. The seller says it's from the Maghreb, but who knows how he came to that attribution. That would sync up with it being a dervish knife, though. It more or less looks the same as the one I have, I'll compare the dimensions when it arrives in the mail. I assume the grip's hamster bone like the last one. Judging from how poorly carved it is, it must have been made back when it wasn't a very valuable material. Attached Images

3rd April 2014, 08:11 AM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	Never seen a knife exactly like this before. However, the very pointed, elongated blade and small circles as decoration, put me in mind of those knives/swords from Algeria or surrounding areas...

3rd April 2014, 02:03 PM	#2
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	You know, I can see a bevel on the back of the blade but I don't see one on the front. It's hard to tell from the pictures of course, but I wonder if it's some sort of scythe? Like a Hasiya? If that was the case I'd expect the blade to be more curved and less stabby.

13th April 2014, 06:12 PM	#5
chregu Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: switzerland Posts: 298	hello together 'm not quite sure such knives've seen in dancers. I think there were dervish dances.

15th April 2014, 02:38 AM	#6
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Thanks for the leads everyone. What's the etiquette for brass blades? Should I clean this one up or leave the patina on it like I would with a steel blade?